The effectiveness of a training programme on positive thinking skills in reducing the tendency towards intellectual extremism of university students

Abstract

This research aimed to identify the effectiveness of a training programme on positive thinking skills in reducing the level of university students' tendency towards intellectual extremism. The quasi-experimental research design was utilised. Twenty students participated in the research and were divided into 10 students in the experimental group and 10 in the control group. The training programme and the scale of the tendency towards intellectual extremism were applied to them. Data were analysed by the Mann–Whitney and Wilcoxon tests. The findings illustrated that there were statistically significant differences between the mean scores of the experimental and the control groups on the tendency towards intellectual extremism scale and its components after applying for the programme, in favour of the experimental group. In addition, there were no significant differences between the mean scores of the experimental group in the post and follow-up measurement of the tendency towards intellectual extremism and its components a month later. The research recommends conducting training courses and workshops for faculty members on how to familiarise students with positive thinking skills, which are reflected in the students' thinking and their reduced level of intellectual extremism. Keywords: Positive thinking skills, tendency towards intellectual extremism, university students.